The University of South Alabama

Department of Philosophy

Spring, 2009

1st Annual USA Philosophy Workshop

New (and Old) Perspectives on Coherentism

May 11-14 2009

At the Hilton Garden Inn Beachfront

Orange Beach, Alabama

Speakers: William Lycan (Keynote), Jonathan Kvanvig (Keynote), Mylan Engel, Erik Olsson, Ted Poston, William Roche, Bruce Russell, Gregory Wheeler

Conference Overview:

Recent epistemological work suggests that coherentism can avoid historically prominent problems such as the input, isolation, and truth connection objections. Further, work on the nature of reason-giving states suggests new ways to motivate a coherentist account of empirical justification. Moreover, formal work on the nature of coherence suggests new problems and prospects for coherentism. The purpose of this conference is to reassess the prospects and problems attending epistemic coherentism. Some of the topics to be discussed include coherentism and the justification of moral beliefs, a coherentist account a priori justification, the challenges posed by the impossibility results that there is no formal measure of coherence, a coherentist account of justified inconsistent beliefs, conservatism & coherentism, and explanationism.

Interested in Participating? We welcome any philosophers (grads & undergrads too) interested in participating in this workshop.

Workshop website: http://www.southalabama.edu/philosophy/poston/Coherentism.htm

Philosophy Club Meeting. The Philosophy Club is meeting this Springl. The Club is open to any interested U.S.A. student, regardless of major. Contact Christina at CMT401 _ at _ jaguar1.usouthal.edu for details.